New Renault Rafale flagship coupe-SUV fully revealed

• 197bhp E-Tech hybrid and 296bhp plug-in hybrid powertrains
• Flagship Renault coupe-SUV model
• On sale in the UK from mid-2024

The Renault Rafale has been fully revealed at the Paris Air Show, sporting a sleek coupe-SUV design with a sloping roofline and a sporty stance. The Rafale will go on sale in Europe in spring 2024, and shortly after in the UK, where it’s expected to cost around £40,000.

Renault Rafale design and interior

At the front, the Rafale gets Renault’s latest light signature, which is reminiscent of the latest Renault Clio facelift and upcoming e-Scenic model. The Rafale is set to offer plenty of bold, premium design elements worthy of a range-topper – for reference, Renault design director Gilles Vidal was also behind the styling of the latest Peugeot 508 saloon – a car which played an important role in redefining Peugeot as a more upmarket brand.

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Of particular note is an interesting textured grille which reveals different colours as you walk around the car. The interior is similar to the Austral’s and appears to benefit from plenty of high-quality materials which should help cement the Rafale’s premium image.

The Rafale will also get a premium Harmon Kardon sound system, Google-based software for its 12-inch infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, plus some hi-tech touches such as a darkening glass roof, which goes opaque at the touch of a button or via a Google Assistant voice command.

Renault Rafale powertrains and specs

The Renault Rafale will come with a choice of powertrains, starting with the 197bhp E-Tech hybrid system using a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine combined with two electric motors, shared with the Renault Austral. It will offer a predicted fuel economy of around 60mpg and 105g/km of CO2 emissions.

The Rafale will be offered with a 296bhp plug-in hybrid option later on, which gets an additional electric motor on the rear axle giving it four-wheel drive, and a larger battery pack to serve up an improved electric range.

What does it mean for buyers?

The Rafale will go up against a growing market of coupe-SUVs mostly made up of more traditionally upmarket rivals such as the Audi Q5 Sportback, BMW X4 and Mercedes GLC Coupe. It will also be competing against the all-electric Skoda Enyaq Coupe, although there are currently no plans to offer an electric version of the Rafale.

More details are expected to be released about the Renault Rafale ahead of its official debut on June 18, so watch this space.

If you want to hear about one of Renault’s latest all-electric offerings, read our review of the Renault Megane E-Tech…